Our Lady On The River Parish Holy Cross, Marine City; St. Catherine, Algonac; St. Mark, Harsens Island
Sponsor of the Week:  Marine City Big Boy
Palm Sunday    April 5, 2009

Please pray for our sick and suffering
St. Mark: Betty Baker, Jacob Bryson, Ken Cihon, Marge Hamlin, Shirley Hollowaty, Nina Johnson, Shirley Koster, Clark Odzark, Sally O'Neil,  Sophie Palmer,  Walter Sawkin,  Bob Soulliere, Patrick Tierney, Sheila Thompson, Tena Van Loon, Mike & Sandy Weaver, JoAnn White, Paulette Wieczorek, Keith Wright
Holy Cross: Andrea Bigelow, Judy Biland, Jill Block, Valerie Brettin, John Chadra III, Barbara Corn, John Cullen, Laura Goltz, Jim Gramer, Annette Griffith, Dave Hull, Dolores Hauer, Sharon Hintz, Betty Holtz, William Hubbarth, Derek Jacobs, Jim Keelan, JoAnn Kramer, James KuyKendall, Ava LaVere, Ruth Ann LaParl, Donald Lipa, Joseph Lopez, Gerald Magnan, Ryan Markel, Jim McCalla, James McPhee, Patty McPhee, Lorraine Merglewski, Josephine Michalski, Roger Musialowski, Lisa Jones Nagy, Margery Osterland, Barbara & Tony Pizzo, Sharon Rao, Andrew Redlawski, Ralph Roda, Lorena Sadler, Helen Schweihofer, Dee Dee Stockwell, Barbara Susan, Kris Taylor, Michael Tomlanovich, Alice Trader, Ashleigh Tranchemontagne, Kathy Vayko, Richard Wood, Dorothy Walters
St. Catherine: Jessica Achatz, Hank Babisz, Judy Beland, Angela Bills, Dean Bryeans, Yolanda Cassanova, Fr. Gregory Deters, Darrell Doughtery, Janice Doughtery, Carol Dyde, Virginia Elrod, Connie English, Fr. Art Fauser, Betty Flum, Ruby Gerow, Jay Gibson, Anne Guillery, Nancy Austin Halverson, Ellen Hatcher, Maureen Ireland, Nina Johnson, Amanda Kimbal, Richard Koss, Nicole Lake, Peter Licari, Regina Lomasney, Mary Lorkowski,  Pat Macy, Zitta Marconi, James Mihalich, Theresa Pawlowski, Ted Pilawski, Judy Piotrowski, Sandy Polomas, Rocco Prinzivalli, Richard Ross, Bill Sadecki, Joan Smith, Steven's Family, John Vance, Catherine Ziegler

Mass Intentions
Monday, April 6
	7:30 a.m. Mass     St. Catherine
		V Laura Ankoviak by Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass 			         Holy Cross
		V Sophie & Julie Stanczyk by Cale Family
		? Special Intentions of John Cullen
Tuesday, April 7
	7:30 a.m. Mass			     St. Catherine
		V Andrew Marchwinski by Family
			(Birthday Remembrance)
	9:00 a.m. Mass	 		         Holy Cross
		V Ed & Dorothy Miller by Cale Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass				St. Mark
Wednesday, April 8
	7:30 a.m. Mass			     St. Catherine
		V Jim Kuptz by Wife
)
	9:00 a.m. Mass			         Holy Cross
		V Evelyn & Bob McCort by Cale Family
	9:00 a.m. Mass				St. Mark
Thursday, April 9 			   Holy Thursday
	7:00 p.m.				         Holy Cross
		V Eugene Pollock by Jerry & Mary Lou Malinowski
		V Joseph Kerszykowski by Helen Kerszykowski
			((9th Anniversary Remembrance
Friday, April 10 			      Good Friday
	12:00 p.m. Living Stations of the Cross
			 	St. Catherine
	1:00 p.m. Good Friday of the Lord's Passion
				St. Catherine
Saturday, April 11 			        Easter Vigil
	7:30 p.m.				        Holy Cross
 		V Mary Ann Markel by Jeanne Markel
		V Silvana Innocente Dolores Ferber
			(Anniversary Remembrance)
		V Robert Abraam by Wife, Linda
		V Stephen Sarzynski III, Richard & Stevie Patton by Linda
Sunday, April 12			   Easter Sunday
	7:30 a.m. Mass 			         Holy Cross
		V Gerald & Ruth St. James by Family
		V Agnes Horn by Jan, Gail, Eve, Dottie & Betty
		V Rosanne Lozowski-Arnold by Husband
		V Pearl Arnold by Children
	8:00 a.m. Mass			    St. Catherine
		V Frank & Rose Darga by Rosemarie Dinehart
	9:30 a.m. Mass			       Holy Cross
		V Iva Guyor by Catherine & Marvin Thompson
		V Timothy Regan by Edwin & Shirley Steinmentz
		V Thomas Pietrykowski by Richard & Mary Niemic
		V Charles Thomas by Wife & Family
10:00 a.m. Mass 			    St. Catherine
		V Jim Kuptz by Wife
		V Joseph Kerszykowski by Wife
		V Angelina Giovannini by Olga Stanko
		V Judi Vanscott by James Vanscott
		V Laura & William Goltz by Hary & Betty Ceder
10:30 a.m. Mass			         St. Mark
		V Felix Bartus by Ann Bartus
		V Howard Soulliere by Family
11:30 a.m. Mass	       		     Holy Cross
		V Mary Ann MacKenzie by Family


Parish Directory
www.OurLadyontheRiver.net

Fr. James Lopez, Pastor
Fr. Matt Ellis, Associate Pastor
Sr. Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
Pastoral Associate

Fr. Sig Kowalczyk, Fr. Ron Kurzawa,
Fr. Fred Bodde, Fr. Leo Broderick & Msgr. George Browne, Senior Priests

Gary Krueger, Bob McLeod, Deacons


***Holy Cross***
810-765-3568     FAX 810-765-2974
www.HolyCrossOnline.net
e-mail  church@holycrossonline.net
Office Hours:
Monday & Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday 9:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
(closed 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. for lunch)
Saturday 1:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

***St. Catherine***
810-794-3301     FAX 810-794-1849
www.StCatherineOnline.net
e-mail  info@stcatherineonline.net
Office Hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:30a.m.-1:00p.m.

***St. Mark***
810-748-3828     FAX 810-748-9148
www.StMarkOnline.net
e-mail  info@stmarkonline.net
Office Hours:
Tuesday-Friday 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

***Holy Cross
Catholic School***
(810) 765-3591 FAX:  (810) 765-9074
www.HolyCrossOnline.net
e-mail  school@holycrossonline.net
Amanda Lund, Principal


Bulletin Info
bulletin e-mail:
bulletin@OurLadyontheRiver.net
(deadline 12 noon Monday)

Marriages:
Membership & six month preparation
period required.

Sacrament of Reconciliation  3:00 p.m.

Holy Cross  	1st & 3rd Saturdays
St. Catherine  2nd & 4th Saturdays
St. Mark	1st Fridays before Mass
Sacrament of Baptism  12:45 p.m.

Holy Cross 	3rd Sunday
St. Catherine 	last Sunday
St. Mark 		by appointment

Membership & preparation required
Please call your Church Office to
register & verify dates

Mass Schedule

	St. Mark Chapel
	Sunday: 	   10:30	a.m.
   Tuesday - Friday:   9:00 a.m
(mass schedule continued)
	St. Catherine
	Saturday: 	4:00	p.m.
	Sunday: 		8:00 	a.m.
			10:00 	a.m.
			7:00 	p.m.
	Monday - Friday 	7:30 	a.m.

	Holy Cross
	Saturday: 	5:30 	p.m.
	Sunday: 		7:30 	a.m.
			9:30 	a.m.
			11:30 	a.m.
	Monday - Friday 	9:00 	a.m.

A Note From The Principal

As I write this article, I am looking out and seeing a dusting of snow on our Marian garden. This beautiful area, lovingly maintained by Mr. and Mrs. Knotts, is where we start our school year. We also return there each May to crown our Blessed Mother. I know that like the darkness of Lent, this snow will also fade, and the new life that Easter and Spring bring us will grow and shine.
	What new life will you experience this Easter season? Is there something that you have given up or worked harder at during the Lenten season that has made an impact on your life, so much so that it will not 'stop' once Easter is here? I hope that we have all found a way during this time to make our lives and the lives around us a little brighter.
	It isn't easy to find the 'bright' spots in our world, especially with the various trials facing our nation, state, and community. Some of us may be lucky enough to be able to say that the economic downturn hasn't had an effect on our lives, but for most of us, I don't believe that is the case. When I start to dwell on the negative things going on around us, I look to find something good. One of the brightest spots in my world is Holy Cross Catholic School. The light that sparkles as each of our students masters a new concept in math, or writes a remarkable sentence, works to brighten the day. Each time that a child sees Jesus in what they do or in the world around them-that light just bursts! I hope that you will come and give that light a chance to shine in your child as a student of Holy Cross.
	The deadline to apply for financial aid grants through the Archdiocese of Detroit is April 10th. Late applications are NOT accepted, and they must be mailed in. This grant also requires information from your tax return. I urge you, even if the thought of coming to Holy Cross is just a glimmer in your mind, to apply for this grant. In addition, the Fr. Al Sadler Campaign is offering scholarships for students entering Kindergarten or transferring into Holy Cross from another school, and other financial assistance is available to parishioners through the Fr. Bartone Fund. One of the easiest ways to reduce your tuition is through SCRIP. Please stop in so we can show you how!

In His Service,
Mrs. Amanda Lund, Principal

Sharing the Gospel

	Everyone in Jerusalem heard Jesus teach, and saw him heal the sick. They followed him wherever he went. They cheered whenever they saw him. When he arrived in town on a donkey, they shaded him from the hot sun with palm leaves. Imagine what kind of parade you and your friends would have for Jesus if he came to teach in your class or came to visit your town.

Prayer
Holy Spirit, help me follow Jesus and love others.

Something to Draw
Draw Jesus on a donkey with people waving palm leaves to keep him cool.

Mission for the Week
If a family member or a friend of mine is hurt, I will stop playing to help them.
- LPiResourceCenter.com

Good Friday
Living Stations of the Cross
 12:00 p.m. at St. Catherine
followed by cantata Calvary's Mountain
Liturgy of the Lord's Passion
1:00 p.m. at St. Catherine

Thoughts from your Pastoral Associate
We Praise You Lord; By Your Holy Cross,
You Have Redeemed The World.

	In the whole liturgical year, Palm Sunday is the only day, besides Good Friday, when the Passion of Our Lord is read. So often when we reflect on the Passion of Jesus, we focus on His supreme act of love, courage and strength. Maybe it would be helpful and a healing grace for us to balance this focus with His vulnerability.
	In Mark's account, of the twelve disciples hand picked by Jesus, one betrayed him, another denied him, and all abandoned him at his greatest moment of need. Jesus shows us how fully and humbly He embraced humanity. He submitted to denial, betrayal, abandonment, mockery, crucifixion. Rejection was a big part of the life of Jesus.  From His infancy to His last days, He had many occasions of violent rejection and of people trying to injure and kill Him, not just speaking badly of Him. At the center of His death and resurrection was final rejection by His own people. He can empathize with us in any experience of personal rejection.

	 “In our world, says Fr. Ron Rolheiser, there's a powerful, always there pressure to protect ourselves against pain and humiliation, to never be vulnerable enough to risk falling flat on our face. We don't want to be caught needy, being the one who has to ask, the one who's embarrassed, the one who doesn't look good. By protecting ourselves in this way, we don't ever become vulnerable enough to enter into an intimacy with others and the world that is salvific. To love is to care. Yet as soon as we do that, we open ourselves to weakness, sensitivity, rejection. Why? Because to be sensitive is to know that it's better to be sad than bitter, better to be hurting than hard, better to shed tears than be indifferent, better to taste death than never risk living, better to feel rejection than never to have loved, and better, for the sake of love, family, faith and commitment, to sometimes look the fool, the needy one, than to always successfully hide what's most true inside us so as to be the one who never has a feeling or an opinion or a hair that's out of place.”

	As disciples of Jesus, we too are called to be humble before God and one another. At its deepest level, humility is about embracing the truth of who we really are and who we are called to become. We have to be humble if we are ever to know the inner meaning of God's Word, and discover more the meaning of the cross of Jesus. Throughout His Passion, who stayed and who didn't stay with Jesus? With which group would you have found yourself?
	If we honestly want to follow Jesus without stumbling, through prosperity and adversity, how necessary it is that we keep our eyes on Jesus, walk with Him, unshakably steadfast in faith in all changing circumstances of life. May we be strengthened in the Spirit, offer the acceptance of the sufferings of human life, and united to Jesus in special way, let Jesus pray with us and offer a gift of love. As we move through these sacred days, may we always keep in mind that Jesus Christ has died for us, and is risen from the dead. He is our saving Lord.
Sister Mary Ann Ankoviak, csj
pastoralassociate@ourladyontheriver.net

Final Lenten Word Scramble:
1) OGOD YAFIRD,   2) LIGIV TEASER,   3) SCSRO,
4) LATS PEUPSR,   5) TM. ALVARCY,
6) MALP DYSAUN,   7) LAHCSAP CELDNA,
8) IWNE NDA BARED,   9) USTEHCARI,
10) GNHIASW FO HET EEFT

The Ministry of Sponsor

     An essential part of the RCIA is that of sponsors and godparents. Many people find that serving in this role renews and enriches their own faith. As representatives of the Christian community, they accompany those on the journey of faith to a deeper relationship with God. As 'veteran' guides, witnesses familiar with living the Catholic life of faith, they share experiences, helping those in formation understand the Catholic way of life, and offer support, prayer and encouragement along the way.
	Over the next few weeks, the sponsors and godparents of those celebrating the sacraments in our parish this Easter offer thoughts about what it means to be Catholic.

	In being Catholic, and through the sacraments, I am building a solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ.

Kelsey Kaminski

	The best teachings of my Catholic religion, and the faith I received from it, came from my very own home, from Catholic parents with a strong Catholic faith, and from my wonderful husband's strong Catholic beliefs which we share with our daughters and grandchildren. We have a strong belief in the power of prayer, and receive the strength we need to carry us through the problems life brings. We have peace knowing that God is taking care of us.
Carol Sadecki

	I think being able to receive the Eucharist is special in being a Catholic. I can't imagine being anything but Catholic, and using the talents God gave me to help other people.
Rose Rzeppa

(“A word from our sponsors” to be continued next week!)

Holy Cross Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 9:30 a.m. Mass,
other liturgies as scheduled.
Tuesday rehearsal, 7-8:30 pm

7:30 Choir
Leads worship at Sunday 7:30 a.m. Mass
Rehearsal Sunday 7:15 a.m.

Schola Cantorum
Small ensemble of mixed voices

Saturday  All Generation Choir
All ages welcome
ALL AGES - ALL SINGERS - FAMILIES
Parents and Grandparents-please bring your child and stay!
Leads worship at Saturday Mass
Saturdays:  5 p.m.

Cantors
Assists with congregational song

Resurrection Choir
Leads worship at funerals
Meets 15 Minutes before the Mass

Instrumentalists
Assist at Mass as scheduled

Handbell Choir
Plays at Mass as scheduled
Wednesday rehearsal 7-8:30 p.m.
Diane Bowden, Director - 810-765-4824
HOLY CROSS MUSIC MINISTRIES | Daniel J. Susan, Director | www.holycrossonline.net | music@holycrossonline.net
Collection of Sunday, March 29, 2009


St. Mark

160 Families
 38 Envelopes:	     $1,128.00
Loose Cash:	        $100.00
Total:		     $1,228.00


Holy Cross

1024 Families
292 Envelopes	    $8,022.00
Loose Cash        	       $370.68
Children           		     $13.25
Total  		    $8,405.93
St. Catherine Church

564 Families
240 Envelopes:	 	    $6,344.00
Loose:		  	       $255.25
Children:		         $15.77
Total			    $6,615.02


Liturgical Schedule
Day/Time
Lectors
Altar Servers
Good Friday
1:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Sr. Mary Ann
               Ankoviak
Retta Kosciolek
Ed Ptasnik


Holy Saturday
7:30 p.m.
Holy Cross
Richard Bober
Paul Denean
Paul Ivan
Patty Nichols
Brandon Downey
Brianna Rickel
Benjamin Rickel

Easter Sunday
7:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Melanie Hietz
Anne Marie Heitz
Veronica Heitz
Natalie Sykes
8:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Retta Kosciolek
Danielle Banky
Skye Jarskey
9:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Charlotte Foley
DJ Burns
Jonathan Moreton
Rachael Moreton
10:00 a.m.
St. Catherine
Nick Licari
Christopher Demorest
Alexis Semaan
10:30 a.m.
St. Mark

Pat Travis

11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross
Mary Patrick

Brad Butros
Veronica Delaharpe
Stone Moody
Died in Christ

Please remember in your prayers:

	V Laura Goltz
	V Edward Harrington
	V Donald Barnum

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord.
Let the Perpetual Light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.          Amen.


FR. MATT'S MATTERS
PALM SUNDAY-DIVINE CONSTANCY MEETS FICKLE HUMANITY

	Please see page (9) for the Holy Week schedule of holy services. From one point of view it is completely accurate that God is eternally unchanging and that earthly humans are 'flip flops'. Yet from another perception God adapts, and offers Himself to us in news ways, so that our thoughts, feelings and behaviors may better reflect the goodness God gave us from creation. The Book of Genesis reveals that humanity is created in the image and likeness of God (1:26-27). Traditionally understood, we are like God and are the image of God in these (among other) characteristics: we existed in God's plan from all eternity; we have 'free will' and an eternal spirit (soul); we have a 'mind' and a center of our 'being' wherein is our 'conscience', which is considered to be a natural form of God's spiritual presence in us.
	We have the capacity to be vessels of God, temples of God's Holy Spirit, thus we are 'not God' but God's creations. The essential nature of God is eternal goodness, truth and beauty. Our Bible reveals, for example, that God is Love, Light and Spirit, yet God is not worldly love and earthly light. Put another way, God is uncreated Love, Light and Spirit. Jesus Christ offers us a way, a truth and a life in which we may get to know the Living God who sent His Son as our way to Himself, who is Love, Light and Spirit. Getting to know the Son of God is the ultimate opportunity for the ultimate adventure.
	Palm Sunday sets the stage to determine what the human race would do with God's greatest Gift, Jesus of Nazareth, who is not a teddy bear. It was the celebration week of Passover which drew Jews from all over. In Matthew, Mark and Luke, after His 'triumphant' Jerusalem entrance, Jesus clears out the Temple (God's house of worship) because some are “turning it into a den of thieves”. A human teddy bear does not work up the anger of evil powers or corrupt human hearts, but Christ Jesus did and does. God who is rich in love, compassion and mercy, is nevertheless the all powerful God.
	Who were the people honoring Jesus by laying down branches and cloaks for His Jerusalem entrance? Matthew and Mark tell us they were a huge crowd, with groups preceding Him and groups following behind crying out Hosanna! …etc. Luke writes that it was the crowd of disciples that met and rejoiced loudly for the “display of power they had seen, saying: “Blessed is he who comes as king in the name of the Lord!'” John tells us it was the whole crowd of people in Jerusalem who 'came out' to greet Jesus because they had heard of His raising Lazarus from the dead. Yet the gospels also mention that some 'Pharisees' were not reacting with joy.
	By the time Jesus is arrested a few days later by Temple guards under orders (with Judas), the Gospels tell us that not only the chief Jewish priests and the Pharisees, but also a great crowd was present before Pilate and they too shouted for His death. What had happened to all those who praised Jesus just days before? The Gospels leave it to our imaginations and our experiences of human nature and political dynamics. Now is the time to acknowledge our own sins, and let God renew the Baptismal grace within us. Now is the time for dying and rising with Christ, not staying on the sidelines or thinking that something or someone else can save us.
Holy Week's grace of God to you, Fr. Matt Ellis.


Our Lady On The River Parish	Sponsor of the Week	Page #
 	Marine City Big Boy	April 5, 2009
Readings for the week of April 5, 2009

Sunday:	Mk 11:1-10 or Jn 12:12-16 /Is 50:4-7/			Phil 2:6-11/Mk 14:1---15:47 or 15:1-39
Monday:	Is 42:1-7/Jn 12:1-11
Tuesday:	Is 49:1-6/Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
Wednesday:	Is 50:4-9a/Mt 26:14-25
Thursday:	Chrism Mass: Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9/Rv 			1:5-8/Lk 4:16-21
Evening Mass: 	Ex 12:1-8, 11-14/1 Cor 11:23-26/Jn
		13:1-15
Friday:		Is 52:13---53:12/ Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9/Jn 			18:1---19:42
Saturday:	Vigil: Gn 1:1---2:2 or 1:1, 26-31a/Gn 			22:1-18 or 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18/Ex 			14:15---15:1/Is 54:5-14/ Is 55:1-11/Bar 			3:9-15, 32---4:4/Ez 36:16-17a, 18-28/			Rom 6:3-11/Mk 16:1-7
Easter Sunday:	Acts 10:34a, 37-43/Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 			5:6b-8/Jn 20:1-9 or Mk 16:1-7

©Liturgical Publications Inc.
Fellowship Brunch
3rd Sunday in April
St. Mark Activity Center
Following 10:30 a.m. Mass
Tickets $5.00
Buy Tickets on 1st & 2nd Sundays
After Mass
(or) St. Mark Office
Tuesday through Friday
Hope you can make it!

Parish Lenten Prayer For Vocations
and
Children's Liturgy of the Word

	For five weeks of Lent, our parish has been offering the opportunity for members of all age levels to participate in at-home prayer for vocations before a parish crucifix. This has proved to be a welcomed Lenten endeavor, blessed by God.
	In the coming weeks, reflections from those who participated will be shared in the bulletin. Thank you to all who stepped forward for this Lenten grace.
	Also, each Sunday of Lent, our parish children were invited at Mass to take part in the Children's Liturgy of the Word, listening to and sharing the scriptures on their level of understanding. This too, was a welcomed and well-received Lenten activity.
	Thank you to all the children who came to Mass and shared God's word with the adult leaders, whom we appreciate and thank as well: Stacy Goulette, Angela Rochon, Julie Schultz and Gary Barr. You have inspired us with your faithfulness. May all of us continue to pray for the grace to respond to the Lord's call.
God bless everyone!

Make Your Voice Heard!
Catholic Caucus Lobby Day in Lansing
 meet with our Representatives and Senators

Wednesday, April 22nd

Transportation Available
For more information or questions:

Dot Wolff, dotwolff@att.net,         248-652-1237
Karen Donahue, RSM,
donahuek@trinity-health.org

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Holy Thursday
Good  Friday
Holy  Saturday
Easter  Sunday
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
StC 7:30a Mass
HC AC 5:30p Potluck Supper
MC 10:00a Ecumenical Cross Walk
StM 12p Food Basket Blessing
Sunday Masses
HC 7:30 a; 9:30a;
11:30 a
StC 8:00 a; 10:00 a
StM 10:30 a
StC 8:15a St. Vincent de Paul
StC 8:15a Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
HC 9:00a Mass
Cherry Beach  7p Caregiver's Series
StC 12:00p Living Stations of the Cross
StM 12:15p Easter Egg Hunt
HC 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
StM 9:00a Mass
HC 7:00p Mass of the Lord's Supper
StC 1:00p Liturgy of the Lord's Passion
HC 12:30p Food Basket Blessings

HC 9:00a Mass
KC MC 7p Bingo
HC 8:30p -12:00a Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
OffSite 4-8p Fish Fry at K of C
StC 1:30p  Food Basket Blessing

HC 10:45a 4th & 5th Grade Rosary
Marysville 10a Bingo
StC 7p Ensemble Practice


StM 3 p Reconciliation

KC 7:00p -9:00p Euchre
StC 7:00p -9:00p Boy Scouts
HC 7p Handbell Choir Rehearsal


HC 7:30p Easter Vigil


HC 7p Choir Rehearsal

Online calendars are on the parish and location websites.

Wedding Anniversary
APRIL, 2009

	George & Mary Ann
			Neumann      April 20th   56 years
	Russell & Patricia
			Webster        April 24th   39 years

May God keep you and continue to
Bless you for many years to come.

Spaghetti Dinner and Raffle
Benefitting the James H. Knapp Foundation

Saturday, April 18th
5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
St. Catherine
Activity Center
1108 St. Clair Blvd.

Entertainment provided by Celtic Cross

Jim was the husband of the former St. Catherine Parish Secretary, Betsy. Jim passed away last month after a brave battle with Cancer. He owned and operated Jim's Corner Restaurant in Anchorville and supported the community through many charitable endeavors. Help support Betsy who gave of herself for the parish for many years.

Cost of the dinner is donation based and tax deductible. Upon request, a tax donation letter will be given. If unable to attend, your donation is still welcome and appreciated. Proceeds to aid in end of life costs. Donations can be made at any Bank of America branch.

Hosted by the
James H Knapp Foundation
2545 Frankson Avenue,
Rochester Hills,  MI  48307

For more information, email
JamesHKnappFoundation@Gmail.com
or call Ellen Briggeman @ 586-822-7967 or Mary Lou Dyker @ 810-796-2667



One in The Spirit Prayer Group

April 7th	No meeting
April 14th	Review of Faith & Trust series
April 21st	Road to Pentecost

	Our meetings are held on Tuesday evenings @ 6:45 p.m. in St. Catherine Chapel. All parishioners are welcome to join us to sing praises to the Lord, listen to His Word, pray and share fellowship. If you are in need of prayer for yourself or someone else, write your requests in the Prayer Petition Books located by each exit of St. Catherine Church, the Prayer Group prays over them weekly-year round.
	To be placed on the prayer chain or for further information, please contact Eloise @ 810-794-9975.

St. Agatha Circle  #419
Daughters of Isabella

Tuesday, April 21, 2009
12:30 to 4:00pm
Knights of Columbus Hall
King Road, Marine City
Lunch Includes:
Chicken Salad, Fruit plate, Nut Bread,
Beverage and a choice
of homemade Cherry, Apple or Lemon Pie

Donation $ 9.00

At the Door on the Day of Luncheon
Table Prizes        Door Prizes
MINI RAFFLE             RAFFLE
59th Annual
Spring Luncheon - Card Party
Individual Sacrament of Reconciliation
3:00 p.m.  	Saturday, April 11		St. Mark


Easter Triduum
Why we celebrate One Act in Three Days
	Lent officially ends at sunset on Holy Thursday, giving way to the most important days of the Liturgical Year, the Easter or Paschal Triduum. We can see most clearly why Easter itself is so important: Christ's resurrection from the dead signals our own liberation from sin and death. Just as obviously, without Jesus' death on the cross on Good Friday, there would be no need for him to rise from the dead. But what about Saturday, the day Jesus spent in the tomb?
Customs of the Triduum
	Between the despair of Good Friday and the exaltation of Easter morning comes the silence of waiting. Because we know what is coming, we may not look at Saturday as the first disciples did. For them, uncertain of the next step or direction, it was agony of loss, a sense of abandonment by God. In our moments of deepest grief, we certainly know how that feels.
	In your own observance of this day, keep in mind those people, perhaps including yourself, who are grieving loss at this time. Commend them to the loving care of the Father who brought such great joy out of the tragedy of the suffering and death of Jesus. The hope of Easter is that we too might share this joy at the end of our suffering. On Holy Saturday, that is only a hope, not a certainty.

The Mass of the Lord's Supper. The first day of the Triduum begins in the Upper Room with Jesus sharing his Body and Blood in bread and wine. Many parishes reenact the Washing of the Disciples' Feet during this Mass as well.

The Stripping of The Altar. At the end of Mass on Holy Thursday, all the altar coverings and decorations are removed, symbolizing the fact that Christ was stripped of his garments upon his arrest.

The Veneration of the Cross. The Good Friday liturgy features a reading of the Passion according to St. Mark, veneration of the cross and Holy Communion as well as prayers for the Church and the whole world.

Fasting. A tradition in the first centuries of the church was to fast through-out the Triduum or for 40 hours before Easter sunrise.

Easter Vigil. The selected set of readings for the Easter Vigil follows the story of salvation from God's creation of the world, the sparing of Noah and his family from the flood and the deliverance of God's people from Egypt to the Gospel accounts of Jesus' rising from the grave to redeem all people.


Fasting and Abstinence
	The Code of Canon Law declares that Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence from meat.
	The law of fasting binds individuals from the completion of their 18th year to the beginning of their 60th year.  The law of fasting allows only one full meal a day but does not prohibit taking some food in the morning and evening.  The order of meals is optional; also the quantity of food taken at the two lighter meals should not exceed the quantity taken at the full meal, and drinking ordinary liquids does not break the fast.
	The law of abstinence binds people from the completion of their 14th year, throughout life and forbids the use of meat, but not of eggs, milk products or condiments made of animal fat.  Permissible are soups flavored with meat, meat gravy and sauces.
Holy Thursday April 9
	5:30 p.m. 	Pot Luck Supper	      Holy Cross
	7:00 p.m. 	Mass of the Lord's Supper   Holy Cross
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from the
conclusion of Mass until Midnight.

Good Friday Services, April 10
Day of Fasting AND Abstinence

	 10:00 a.m.	Ecumenical Cross Walk 			Holy Cross
   12:00 p.m.	Living Stations   		St. Catherine
	  1:00 p.m.	Liturgy of the Lord's Passion 	St. Catherine

Holy Saturday, April 11
12:00 p.m. 	Blessing of Baskets 	 	St. Mark
		Easter Egg Hunt Follows	 	St. Mark
12:30 p.m. 	Blessing of Baskets		Holy Cross
  1:30 p.m.	Blessing of Baskets 	 	St. Catherine
  7:30 p.m. 	Easter Vigil 		 	Holy Cross

Easter Sunday Masses  -  April 12

	7:30 a.m.	  Holy Cross	10:00 a.m.  	St. Catherine
	8:00 a.m.	  St. Catherine  	10:30 a.m.  	St. Mark
	9:30 a.m.	  Holy Cross	11:30 a.m.  	Holy Cross
No Evening Mass

Holy Week Prayer

Dear Jesus,
in this Holy Week, we remember the time
from your triumphal entry as a king in Jerusalem
to your tragic death as a criminal on Golgotha.
In this week, give us the grace to imitate you
in our everyday lives.

As you washed the feet of your apostles,
help us to serve others without thought of ourselves.
As you forgave Peter for his denial of you,
help us to forgive those who have wronged us.
As your apostles were faced with their own weaknesses,
help us know our own limits, and our need for your aid.
Most of all, give us the grace to remember
that you died for love of us.
Amen.

©2007 Liturgical Publications Inc.

The Parish offices will be closed the week of April 13-18. Normal office hours will resume April 20th.  Bulletin Articles for April 12th MUST be received no later than Monday, April 6th at 10:00 a.m.

Parish Council Date Change

	The date for the next Parish Council meeting has been changed.  The next Parish Council meeting will be Monday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m. in the Holy Cross Rectory.  All council members please make note of this time and place change and plan to attend.

Widowed Friends to Meet in Port Huron

	Widowed men and women are invited to attend our 2nd gathering in the general Blue Water area to offer one another spiritual, social and/or grief support in addition to planning social activities. The meeting will be held on Sunday, April 19th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph Parish Center (1st floor). 1317- 7th Street at Oak in Port Huron. Invite other widowed to come. Lunch afterward is optional. For more information or to RSVP, call Mary @ 810-364-3651 or Peg@ 586-727-2514.
Father Art Fauser

	Father Art would appreciate hearing from his former parish; he is currently residing at the IHM Motherhouse during his convalescence. Please address your cards and letters to: Father Art Fauser, IHM Motherhouse, Room F205, 610 Elm, Monroe, MI  48162

Catholic Study Club

	Our first meeting of the year will be Wednesday, April 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the home of Mary Patrick.
	This Spring Tea is hosted by all the officers.

Our Lady on the River Hospitality

Holy Cross
Sunday, April 5th after the 7:30 & 9:30 a.m. Masses
in the Activity Center.

St. Catherine
Saturday & Sunday, April 4th & 5th after 4:00 p.m.,
8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. Masses in the vestibule.

Good Friday Cross Walk

	Please join us on Good Friday for the annual Cross Walk starting at Holy Cross Church at 10:00 a.m. and processing to the Marine City Churches.
	This is an Ecumenical event and everyone is welcome as we walk together and recall Jesus' walk with his cross.  Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.  We will be following a volunteer carrying the cross and stopping at each church along the way with prayer and/or song.  What a wonderful way to begin your Good Friday observances.

Pot Luck Supper

Holy Thursday, April 9 at 5:30 p.m.
Holy Cross Activity Center

	Please join us for a Holy Thursday Pot Luck Supper in the Holy Cross Activity Center at 5:30 p.m. followed by The Mass of The Lord's Supper at 7:00 p.m.
	All parishioners of Our Lady on the River are invited to bring a dish to share and/or join us for this special evening as we share a meal and remember Christ's Last Supper.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament from the conclusion of Mass until Midnight.

Easter Egg Hunt

Following the Blessing
of Baskets at
St. Mark, Harsens Island
Holy Saturday,
April 11th
All Children 10 & younger are Invited

Patrick Kronner
Senior Organ Recital

Sunday, April 19, 2009, 3:00 p.m.
St. Paul's United Methodist Church
620 Romeo Street
Rochester, MI 48307
free admission
featuring:
Laura Palmieri, harp
Ingrid Pylvainen and Bryce Ropp, violins
Christina Wagner, Cello

Patrick is a CMC Graduate and former student of Daniel Susan

Archdiocese Tuition Assistance

	A Student Aid Form, must be completed by each family applying. Awards are based solely on financial need. Receiving an award in previous years does not guarantee award for the current year. Forms are available at your Catholic school or in the Parish Office at Holy Cross.
Cardinal Mooney Assistance
	In addition to the Archdiocese Assistance, you may apply for assistance from the Parish for CMC students, if you are an active member of the parish.  You must complete the PSAS application and send a letter to the parish office stating that you would like to be considered for assistance.  Parish membership and completion of the PSAS application will be verified.  Contact the office for more information.

League of Catholic Women

	The League of Catholic Women will hold its Annual meeting noon, Wednesday, April 15th at Alexander's, 1195 Gratiot Blvd., Marysville. Meal choices are chicken or beef. The cost is $13. Please send your reservation checks to Katie Ricketts, 906 Hollis St, Port Huron 48060.
	All women of the parishes are invited to join the League. One of its main purposes is to give financial aid for Catholic education. For more information about the League, call Mary Kay Odgers, president @ 810-385-1459.

Please Submit Anniversary dates the month
prior of your Anniversary.     Thank you

K of C News
Algonac Council 7227

Annual Fundraiser

	The annual fundraiser drive for the Mentally Impaired will be held this weekend.  All Brother Knights are asked to participate in this event and all people are encouraged to be kindly generous.


Book Sale

	The next Book Sale will be from April 14th-16th at the K of C Hall on Marsh rd. with extended hours being 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Holy Cross Maritime Day Festival Tickets are now available to be picked up in the Vestibule of the Church.

Dear Sr. Mary Ann and Parishioners of Our Lady on the River,

	Thank you for all your help at the Rite of Election. It was your generosity and willingness to be a servant that added so much to the celebration.

May God bless you this Lent and always.
Sr. Georgette Zalewska
Archdiocese of Detroit
Department of Parish Life and Services
Office for Christian Worship

Words to Live By

	The man who wishes to understand himself thoroughly must with his unrest, uncertainty, and even his weakness and sinfulness, with his life and death, draw near to Christ.

                            -Pope John Paul II